Are you ready to take the “on RAMP” to a new career that requires no training costs to you and will pay you a starting salary of $40,000 a year with benefits?

“You’re not just driving and pulling up to a dock and unloading while you sit in the truck,” said La Grange resident David Carrillo, owner/operator of A. Arnold World Wide Class Relocation. “You get to meet different kind of people – I’ve met NASA scientists, I’ve met U.S. Marshals.”

“You’re not just driving and pulling up to a dock and unloading while you sit in the truck,” said La Grange resident David Carrillo, owner/operator of A. Arnold World Wide Class Relocation. “You get to meet different kind of people – I’ve met NASA scientists, I’ve met U.S. Marshals.”

If so, you need to attend a January information session at one of four locations in the region to find out how you can apply for the opportunity for free training to become a long-distance moving van driver.

The information sessions are scheduled at 1 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Trimble County Library, 35 Equity Drive, Bedford; and 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Jefferson Community and Technical College Shelby County Campus, 1361 Frankfort Road, Shelbyville.

The federally funded free job training is offered by KentuckianaWorks, the Workforce Investment Board for the Greater Louisville, which includes Oldham County.

The three-week course is a combination of classroom work and hands-on skills building designed in partnership with the American Moving and Storage association and JCTC. The classes are held at the downtown Louisville JCTC campus.

The first class began in January. Classes are planned each month until this spring to fill the 250 moving van operator vacancies in this area.

Oldham County Judge-Executive David Voegele said the moving and storage industry needs more drivers and companies in the region are ready to hire people for solid, good-paying jobs.

Each graduate receives a Registered American Moving Professionals certification and four hours of college credit from JCTC.

During the three-week course, representatives from at least six local moving van companies participating in the RAMP program will meet with students to discuss employment opportunities upon graduation.

Those who already have a commercial driver’s license and are accepted in the free RAMP training program will be ready for work at the end of the three weeks.

Those approved to take the course without a CDL will receive a scholarship to earn the CDL at an approved driving school upon completion of the training. Getting a CDL after RAMP training takes an additional three to four weeks before qualifying for a job.

A rewarding career

“You’re not just driving and pulling up to a dock and unloading while you sit in the truck,” said La Grange resident David Carrillo, owner/operator of A. Arnold World Wide Class Relocation. “You get to get out. You get to meet different kind of people – I’ve met NASA scientists, I’ve met U.S. Marshals. I’ve met all kinds of people. You get their story, and you meet their kids. You meet everybody.”

Eric Cauble of Crestwood has worked in the industry since he was 18 and employed by his family’s moving business.

He is an owner/operator of A. Arnold World Wide Class Relocation.

“I was a company driver for a short period of time for my father,” Cauble said. “Now, as an owner/operator, I’m pretty much my own boss. We pack everything in the house, put a sticker on every item, mark it on the inventory sheet and load the truck—that can be a two-, three- or four-day process. Packing is about 90 percent of what I do as far as the work is involved. The other portion of it would be the driving. It’s a good way to make a living”

How to apply

The qualifications for becoming a RAMP student will be explained at each January information session. Candidates must be at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma or GED.

Military veterans, husband-and-wife teams and anyone in Oldham County committed to teamwork, providing good customer service, and attention to details should explore becoming a moving van operator.

Applicants must complete a career assessment to see if they are suited to the work. They also will undergo drug screening, a physical exam and a criminal background check.

Registration for any one of the January information sessions can be made online at www.kentuckianaworks.org/ramp or call KentuckianaWorks at (502) 574-4723 for more information about the training program.